[外電] Nets' Carter May Weigh Options
By FRED KERBER
February 16, 2007 -- With the schedule resuming against the Hornets
Wednesday, one day before the trading deadline, the Nets own a lengthy to-do
list. The team needs to rest and regroup. Jason Kidd needs to get healthy.
Management needs to discover if any trade makes sense. And the brass wants to
do one other thing.
Determine whether Vince Carter will be a free agent this summer.
"Vince has said that he had never been a free agent and, before the season,
he told us that he wants to be a free agent," said team president Rod Thorn.
"Over the next week, we would like to ascertain what his intentions will be,
and it has nothing to do with the trading deadline. But you want to gather
all the information you can."
Thorn expects Carter to opt out of the final year of his contract - worth
$16,360,094 next season - and test free agency. But that doesn't mean he
won't be a Net in 2007-08. And it doesn't mean the Nets don't want him back.
They do.
"We'd certainly like to do something," Thorn said. "He's a terrific talent.
As far as numbers, I'd say his scoring is within a point or so of what it was
last year. His rebounds and assists are up. He's our third best passer behind
Jason [Kidd] and Marcus [Williams]. He's been productive. We just haven't won
games."
The $16 million is more than Carter, 30, could get elsewhere but he'll likely
seek security. Figure the Nets would go for something in the area of a
three-year deal in the $35 million to $45 million range. There is always a
sign and trade possibility.
"But that would have to be something we'd be interested in," Thorn said.
"We're not going to do anything that doesn't help us."
Carter likely would find the free agent market tight. Orlando has been
strongly mentioned as a possibility but that is highly doubtful. The Magic
likely won't have the resources but also, league sources said, Orlando brass
fears Carter might impede the progress of rising stud Dwight Howard. Other
teams mentioned include Charlotte, but the Bobcats simply are not big
spenders.
When all the dust clears, Carter likely will test free agency and return to
the Nets. But as Thorn constantly reminds, "All it takes is one" team to make
a big pitch. Witness Kenyon Martin. Carter has frequently been asked about
his contract. As recently as Monday, he was asked how much thought he gives
it and he insisted, "None at all."
Meanwhile, with 28 games left, the Nets have more immediate problems. Like
getting their defense back. After three victories with Steel Curtain-like
numbers - 80.3 points, .374 shooting (86-of-230) - the Nets rolled over in
two straight losses: 113.5 points and .562 shooting (82 of 146). Both games
were played without Kidd (back strain), who is expected back Wednesday.
"It's a definite concern," said coach Lawrence Frank, one day after his Nets
were swamped in Toronto, 120-109.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 61.62.173.63
討論串 (同標題文章)
以下文章回應了本文:
完整討論串 (本文為第 1 之 2 篇):
VinceCarter 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
20
23